More than 300 charges laid in investigation into auto theft ring, $11.1M worth of cars recovered
Two dozen people are facing more than 300 charges combined in connection with an investigation into what police are calling a “prolific auto theft ring” in the Greater Toronto Area.
According to Peel police, the investigation—dubbed “Project High 5”—spanned multiple jurisdictions over a six-month period. It began after police documented an increase in motor vehicles being stolen from residents within the Region of Peel and the Greater Toronto Area.
Police allege suspects forced open a driver’s door, obtained access to the vehicle’s On Board Diagnostic Port, and then used that device to program a new key fob.
“These were not the result of relay thefts and were captured by victims and neighbouring residences on home security,” police said in a news release issued Thursday.
Investigators say the car owners lived in residential neighbourhoods and were targeted while they slept. The vehicles were then loaded into shipping containers to export to the United States and multiple West African and Middle Eastern Countries, police added.
According to police, investigators identified vehicles that had been fraudulently registered in Ontario and sold to “unsuspecting automotive dealerships, online dealer platforms and unassuming buyers.”
On Jan. 19, officers executed search warrants at nine residential areas across the regions of Peel, Halton and York.
As a result, police recovered 217 vehicles valued at about $11.1 million. They also seized a loaded .45 calibre hand gun with a prohibited extended magazine, more than $100,000 in Canadian currency, an unspecified amount of drugs, automobile forgery documents and instruments, and fraudulent government documents.
Twenty-four people were taken into custody and charged in connection with the investigation, including two people under the age of 18. While the majority of suspects are residents of the Greater Toronto Area, five are from Montreal and another two are from Uxbridge and Whitby respectively.
In total, the suspects face a combined 321 charges.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and they anticipate further arrests.
“Project High 5” was a collaboration between Peel Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police. Officials also said that members from the Canada Border Services Agency, Mississauga, Port of Montreal – SPVM Police, Equite Association, Port of Halifax and the Halifax Police Service.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.